Nightlife & The Arts
When you want a stiff drink and creative fuel
Lower Park Lavender at Parkside Tap House
What really sets Chico apart from other North State cities are its nightlife and arts scenes, which often go hand-in-hand. Whether you're up for an art show, theater production or want to sip on a delicious cocktail while listening to live music, Chico is the place to go out and have some fun. There were a few upsets this year in the Best Place to Dance and Best Art Space categories. Without further ado, here are the best of the best.
Bar
FIRST Place: Argus Bar + Patio
212 W. Second St.
SECOND Place: The Banshee
134 W. Second St., 895-9670
THIRD Place: Duffy’s Tavern
337 Main St., 343-7718
Sports bar
FIRST Place: Bella’s Sports Pub
134 Broadway, 893-5253
SECOND Place: The Pour House
855 East Ave., Ste. 270, 893-3000
THIRD Place: Oasis Bar & Grill
1007 W. First St., 343-4305
Watering hole for townies
FIRST Place: Duffy’s Tavern
337 Main St., 343-7718
SECOND Place: The Handle Bar
2070 E. 20th St., Ste. 160, 894-2337
THIRD Place: Studio Inn Lounge
2582 Esplanade, 343-0662
Cocktail
FIRST Place: Lower Park Lavender
Parkside Tap House, 115 W. Third St., 636-4239
SECOND Place: Margarita
Tres Hombres Long Bar & Grill, 100 Broadway, 342-0425
THIRD Place: One Night Stand
Crush, 201 Broadway, Ste. 200, 342-7000
Mixologist
FIRST Place: Scott Barwick
Duffy’s Tavern, 337 Main St., 343-7718
SECOND Place: Liz Von Aspern
Christian Michaels Ristorante, 192 E. Third St., 894-4005
THIRD Place: Vince Villegas
Christian Michaels Ristorante, 192 E. Third St., 894-4005
Happy hour
FIRST Place: Crush
201 Broadway, Ste. 200, 342-7000
SECOND Place: The Pour House
855 East Ave., Ste. 270, 893-3000
THIRD Place: Christian Michaels Ristorante
192 E. Third St., 894-4005
Place to drink a glass of wine
FIRST Place: Wine Time
Sierra Nevada Big Room
26 Lost Dutchman Drive, 899-9250
SECOND Place: Unwined Kitchen & Bar
980 Mangrove Ave., 809-2634
THIRD Place: Crush
201 Broadway, Ste. 200, 342-7000
Margarita
FIRST Place: Tres Hombres Long Bar & Grill
100 Broadway, 342-0425
SECOND Place: La Hacienda
2635 Esplanade, 893-8270
THIRD Place: Casa Ramos
2490 Fair St., 893-5050; and 216 East Ave., Ste. C, 894-0119
Bloody Mary
FIRST Place: Duffy’s Tavern
337 Main St., 343-7718
SECOND Place: Mom’s Restaurant
209 Salem St., 893-3447
THIRD Place: Joe’s Bar
749 W. Fifth St., 894-3612
Karaoke night
FIRST Place: Madison Bear Garden
316 W. Second St., 891-1639
SECOND Place: The Maltese
1600 Park Ave., 343-4915
THIRD Place: Studio Inn Lounge
2582 Esplanade, 343-0662
Place to dance
FIRST Place: Madison Bear Garden
316 W. Second St., 891-1639
SECOND Place: The Beach
191 E. Second St., 898-9898
THIRD Place: Crazy Horse Saloon
303 Main St., 342-7299
Venue for live music
FIRST Place: Sierra Nevada Big Room
1075 E. 20th St., 899-6138
SECOND Place: Lost on Main
319 Main St., 892-2445
THIRD Place: Tackle Box Bar & Grill
379 E. Park Ave., 345-7499
Local music act
FIRST Place: Hot Flash
SECOND Place: Defcats
THIRD Place: Off the Record
Local visual artist
FIRST Place: Janet Lombardi Blixt
SECOND Place (tie): Christine Mac Shane
Museum of Northern California Art
SECOND Place (tie): Caitlin Schwerin
Art space
FIRST Place (tie): 1078 Gallery
1710 Park Ave., 433-1043
FIRST Place (tie): Museum of Northern California Art
900 Esplanade, 487-7272
THIRD Place: Chico Art Center
450 Orange St., 895-8726
Place to buy art
FIRST Place: Chico Paper Co.
345 Broadway, 891-0900
SECOND Place: Art Etc.
256 E. First St., 895-1161
THIRD Place: Chico Art Center
450 Orange St., 895-8726
Theater company
FIRST Place: Chico Theater Company
166-F Eaton Road, 894-3282
SECOND Place: Blue Room Theatre
139 W. First St., 895-3749
THIRD Place: California Regional Theatre
(800) 722-4522
Open mic
FIRST Place: Down Lo
319 Main St., 892-2473
SECOND Place: The Maltese
1600 Park Ave., 343-4915
THIRD Place: Blackbird
1431 Park Ave., 433-1577
Place to be seen
FIRST Place: Duffy’s Tavern
337 Main St., 343-7718
SECOND Place: Parkside Tap House
115 W. Third St., 636-4239
THIRD Place: Crush
201 Broadway, Ste. 200, 342-7000
Casino – regional (Butte/Glenn/Tehama)
FIRST Place: Gold Country Casino
4020 Olive Highway, Oroville, 538-4560
SECOND Place: Feather Falls Casino
3 Alverda Drive, Oroville, 533-3885
THIRD Place: Rolling Hills Casino
2655 Everett Freeman Way, Corning, 528-3500
Beer event
FIRST Place: Oktoberfest
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 1075 E. 20th St., 893-3520
SECOND Place: Beer Camp
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 1075 E. 20th St., 893-3520
THIRD Place: Micro Brew Festival
Soroptimist International of Bidwell Rancho, sibidwellrancho.org/microbrew-festival
